Rural Spencer Man Arrested On Meth-Related Charges Monday

Staff Report

Wendell Hart According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Jon Patrick of the Indiana State Police, on Monday, April 2, ISP officers were called to a residence on Texas Pike to assist local agencies with an investigation. Wendell Hart, 43, was being visited by probation and the Owen County Sheriff’s Department for a common probation search of his residence.

During the search of the property, officers located and identified items which are commonly associated with manufacturing of methamphetamine. These items were photographed, inventoried and collected as evidence. Based on the assessment of the items found, ISP officers interviewed and subsequently arrested Hart on a preliminary charge of dealing in methamphetamine, possession of precursors, possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance, all felony charges.

Hart was booked into the Owen County Security Center on these charges, in addition to a preliminary charge of violation of probation.

According to Owen County Prosecutor Don VanDerMoere, Hart was formally charged by his office and appeared by video for his initial hearing Tuesday afternoon where bond was set according to the court’s bond schedule.

Prosecutor VanDerMoere issued a reminder to readers that criminal charges are only allegations and that this suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.